Loom binder



Jan. 4, 1966 w. v. BAKER ETAL 3,227,183

LOOM BINDER Filed May 25, 1963 INVENTOR. wmzreEN V. BAKER. B WILLIAM ELBECKER.

ATTORNEY United States Patent LOOM BINDER Warren. V. Baker, Auburn, and William Egecker, Norton, Mass., assignors, by direct and mesneassignm'ents, of one-half to Draper Corporation, Hopedale, Mass., a corporation of Maine, and" one-half to Bacon FeltmCompany, Taunton, Mass., a corporationof Massachusetts Filed May 23, 1963, Ser. No. 282,636

The instant invention relates to looms of the fly-shuttle type and, more particularly, to the shuttle-engaging binders thereof. u

It is a general object `of the invention to provide a binder for a shuttle box which willbe capable of absorbing and withstanding the increased impact energy resultingfrorn high loom speeds with either wooden or molded shuttles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a binder in which the heat dissipation will be rapid and thereby extend the useful life of the friction material; o o

A further object is to provide vgenerally good boxing conditions by presenting `a yielding wear-resistant surface for meeting and restraining the incoming shuttle. o o

A still further object of the invention is tooreduce shuttle wear through the use of a cooler friction surface in contact with the sidewall of the shuttle. I o o A further object is to provide a yielding binder friction of unitary construction adapted for easy application or removal to existing loom binders. o o o Y L o These and other objects of the invention will become apparent as further details are disclosed. l' Y In looms Where a shuttleis' used to transport the` filling yarn across the width of the fabric, the shuttle rnust be abruptly stopped and accurately restrained within the shuttle box in preparation for the return flight through the warp shed. As this operation is repeated a` number of times each second, the proper functioning of the binder mechanism is all important to successful weaving. o

As the operating speed of automatic looms has'been gradaully increased and as heavier shuttles carrying greater quantities of filling have been introduced, numerousmethods have been devised to deal with the excessive wear encountered in the friction materials `ofA shuttle boxes. These have not been entirely satisfactorilyas rapid wear has continued to hold the repair and replacement costs for binder material and shuttles at a high level., Also, in some instances other members of the loom, such as pickers and check straps, have experienced premature failure due to their absorption of the shuttle energy more properly absorbed by the binder friction material.

This invention deals with the loom: binder which is the pivotal member of the shuttle box and, in many looms, is adapted to perform two important functions. The first is that of actuating the loom protection mechanism whereby the loom will come to an` abrupt stop if the shuttle is not completely in a shuttle box at the time of beat-up. At each pick toward' a particular shuttle box, the shuttle is caused to strike the swell' of the binder face and thereby pivot the binderoutwarfdly of the box. This in turn will raise the protection device and allow the loom to continue unchecked. The second function is that of frictionally engaging one sidewall of the shuttle as it enters the shuttle box and, with spring pressure, of holding the shuttle against theA front box plate to aid effectively in checking its flight and in holding it against rebounding.

The heat generated by the shuttle as it strikes the binder at high speeds is sufiicient to break down the friction materials presently used in a shorter period than is considered desirable. This has necessitated early replacement and has at times caused damage to the shuttle.

The invention will be described by reference to specific embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying figures of drawing, wherein: V

FIG. l is a plan view of the left-hand shuttle box of a loom with the invention in place thereon; o J

FIG; 2 is a plan view of a first modification of the novel binder; f o

FlG. 3 is a plan view of a second modification;y

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectionron line l1 /tin FIG; 2.; and

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section onl line 5--5 in FIG. l.

Now referring to FIG. 1, a shuttle box for a loomV shown to establish the location of the Vinstant invention and comprises a lay end 10 and a picker 11 which is fastened to the upper end of a picker stick 12. The picker stick `is arranged to pick the shuttle `13 toward the opposite' 'shuttle box by its intermittent inward motion througlta slot (not shownlin the fioor ofthe la'y end 10. The picker 11 serves as the endwall of the shuttlebox and `is that which finally deters the shuttle in its night through the warpv shed. o ,Y o

The forward wall of the shuttle box is the front `boit plate 14 which is secured to `the lay end 10 bybolts and 16. A b ack box plate` 17 which acts to direct the shuttle into the box is shown broken away. Fastened to the lay 10 at a pivotal point 18, a binder becomes the feat' confining wall of the shuttle box where theshuttle isheld daring the beat-up action of the loom. The instaat-,iid of the b'ox remains open to receive and discharge theV shut'- tle in 'a well-known'manner, A v

The body of the binder is a rigid metnber 19, generally made of wood, which is pivotally supportedl at the point 1S bythe lay end 10. The bindermernber 19 when placed in the shuttle box presents a forward surface 20 toward the' front of the loom. The forward surface 2i) faces the shuttle when it is in the shuttle box and in the forwardsurfac is cut a transverse recess 21 which covers the full width of the rigid member 19.` The length of the recess 21 may extend from `the swell of the binder, or that point first contacted'by the shuttle, longitudinallyv a majority of the` binderlength. In FIG. 1 it will be seen that the recess 21 exceeds the length of that surface contacted by the shuttle while in the box. The depth of the recess should be about one-quarter of an inch and follow the' contour of the binder face' 20. i o

In FIG. 2 a modification is shown in which the transverse recessV 21 is shorter than in the preferred embodiment and covers only that arean of the binder face which is first contacted by the incoming shuttle. A second modification is seen in FIG. 3 where the transverse recess1212l is tapered from a full depth near the inward end of "the,V binder to the face of the forward surface 20 centrally of the binder. These' and other possible modifications diffe' only in the conformation of the transverse recess svothat other parts inFIGS. l, 2, and 3 which are similar will havel like numerals. I o o n The forward surface 20 of the binder is substantially fully covered by a shuttle engaging member, generally designated 22, which is formed for application to" the rigid binder niernber 19 as a unit by having the individu-' al parts molded together. A resilient outer surface 23 of high density felt offers a frictional contact with the incoming shuttle to assist in stopping its flight and in holding it from rebounding. Beneath the outer surface 23, a flexible under surface 24 of plied coated canvas supports the felt surface and also a molded rubber insert ,compris-- ing a series of pillar-like projections 26. These projections are held spaced apart and act to support the felt surface 23 in a yieldingly fiexible manner when inserted into the recess 21. The ends of the projections 262 (FIGS. 2 and 5) may be cemented to the rigid binder 19; however, in many instances this has not been necessary. The projections may assume varied formations such as round, square, conical, ayramidal, or a combination. In the present embodiment the form is round with an enlarged conical base. The projections are pressed vertically into the recess 21 interconnecting the rigid member 19 with the shuttle engaging member 22. As the shuttle engaging member is extended over the recess 21, it is supported in a continuing line from both ends of the forward surface 20.

The shuttle engaging member 22 is formed as a single unit which may be applied to the binder 19 by adhesives or mechanical means for installation or replacement. The individual parts of the unit are combined by molding with thin sheets of uncured rubber separating each part and an additional sheet of rubber to form the projections 26. The application of heat and pressure to the mold makes a laminated unitary binder covering in which the outer surface 23 is of felt and the lower supporting side is a series of rubber projections 26.

The rubber used in the unit for molding the projections and for combining the canvas layers and the felt layer may be one of a range of rubber-like substances from SBR to neoprene or Hycar.

It will be seen that when it is necessary to replace the binder surface a complete unit is installed in which the height of the projections and felt covering will be consistent with the one being removed. This eliminates the necessity for binder adjustments usually required when such replacements were made.

The flexible under surface 24 formed of two or more layers of canvas as, for example, woven cotton, molded between thin layers of rubber adds greatly to the stability of the felt outer surface 23, which may be of wool, particularly where it is extended over the recess 21.

In the second modification (FIG. 3) the projections 26 are molded to conform to the declining graduated height of the tapered recess 212. The projections in each of the embodiments form a cushioning member to absorb the shock of the shuttle striking the binder while entering the shuttle box.

The binder 19 is pivoted inwardly of the shuttle box when the shuttle is absent by a leaf spring 27 which is fastened to the lay end 10. As the shuttle strikes the surface 23 the binder 19 is pivoted outwardly causing a bumper member 28, which is fastened to the back sidewall of the binder, to rock the loom protection finger 29 in a manner well known in the weaving art.

During high speed weaving the ordinary binder will build up and hold a high temperature. This causes rapid deterioration of the binder leather or other material being used and represents a large portion of the repair parts cost. With the instant invention the spaced apart supporting members allow rapid heat dissipation by a free circulation of air between the shuttle engaging member and the rigid binder. This has been found to be a practical advantage with binder leathers of the usual type and is especially valuable when combined with the felt material or other synthetic textile material to frictionally engage the shuttle.

While one embodiment and two modifications have been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. The invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and thescope of the claims.

We claim:

1. A binder for a loom comprising a pivotally supported rigid member, a transverse recess intermediate the ends of said rigid member, a resilient shuttle engaging member being fastened to said rigid member extending over the said recess, and a series of pillar-like projections adapted for supporting said shuttle engaging member above said recess, said pillar-like projections extending substantially fully between said rigid member and said shuttle engaging member.

2. A binder for a loom comprising a pivotally supported rigid member, a transverse recess in the forward surface and intermediate the ends of said rigid member, a resilient shuttle engaging member being fastened to the forward surface of said rigid member completely covering said recess, said shuttle engaging member including a flexible under surface with a resilient outer surface for frictionally engaging a loom shuttle, and a series of pillarlike projections resting within said recess being adapted for supporting said shuttle engaging member above said recess, said pillar-like projections extending substantially fully between said rigid member and said shuttle engaging member, said projections being formed integrally with said flexible under surface and said outer surface.

3. A binder for a loom comprising a pivotally supported rigid member, a transverse recess in the forward surface and intermediate the ends of said rigid member, a resilient molded shuttle engaging member being fastened to the forward surface of said rigid member completely covering said recess, said shuttle engaging member including a resilient outer surface for frictionally engaging a loom shuttle, a flexible under surface having a series of pillar-like projections extending substantially fully between said rigid member and said shuttle engaging member formed integrally thereon in closely spaced proximity, said projections being held vertically to the said recess for positioning said shuttle engaging member on a continuing line from both ends of said forward surface of said rigid member, said projections being yieldably flexible under continued impact.

4. A binder for a loom comprising rigid member, a transverse recess in the forward surface and intermediate the ends of said rigid member, a resilient molded unitary shuttle engaging member being fastened to the forward surface of said rigid member covering said recess, said shuttle engaging member including an outer surface of a high density felt material for frictionally engaging a loom shuttle, a flexible reinforcing under surface having a series of pillar-like projections formed integrally thereon in closely spaced proximity, said pillar-like projections extending substantially fully between said rigid member and said shuttle engaging member, said projections being held vertically to the said recess for positioning said shuttle engaging member on a continuing line from both ends of said forward surface, said projections being yieldingly flexible under continued impact.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS j 820,661 5/1906 Mills 139-186 820,663 5/1906 Mills 139-186 1,991,144 2/1935 Ferle et al 139-185 2,399,851 5/1946 Brown 139-185 3,096,794 7/1963 Kronoff 139-185 FOREIGN PATENTS 674,852 4/1939 Germany. 721,546 1/1955V Great Britain.

DONALD W. PARKER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A BINDER FOR A LOOM COMPRISING A PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED RIGID MEMBER, A TRANSVERSE RECESS INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF SAID RIGID MEMBER, A RESILIENT SHUTTLE ENGAGING MEMBER BEING FASTENED TO A SAID RIGID MEMBER EXTENDING OVER THE SAID RECESS, AND A SERIES OF PILLAR-LIKE PROJECTIONS ADAPTED FOR SUPPORTING SAID SHUTTLE ENGAGING MEMBER ABOVE SAID RECESS, SAID PILLAR-LIKE PROJECTIONS EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY FULL BETWEEN SAID RIGID MEMBER AND SAID SHUTTLE ENGAGING MEMBER. 